For immediate release September 27, 2018

September 2018

Franklin & Marshall

College Poll

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Prepared by:

Center for Opinion Research

Floyd Institute for Public Policy

Franklin & Marshall College

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................. 2
KEY FINDINGS ............................................................................................................... 3
VOTER INTEREST AND TURNOUT ..................................................................................... 4

PRESIDENT TRUMP: JOB PERFORMANCE .......................................................................... 4

SENATOR CASEY: JOB PERFORMANCE AND RE-ELECTION ................................................. 8

GOVERNOR WOLF: JOB PERFORMANCE AND RE-ELECTION ............................................... 8

THE ELECTORAL CONTEXT IN PENNSYLVANIA ................................................................ 10

METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 12
METHODOLOGICAL NOTES ............................................................................................ 13

ATTACHMENT A-1....................................................................................................... 14
ATTACHMENT A-2....................................................................................................... 15
MARGINAL FREQUENCY REPORT............................................................................ 16

2
Key Findings

The September 2018 Franklin & Marshall College Poll finds that three in five (60%) of the

state’s registered voters say they are “very interested” in the 2018 elections, which is higher than in

our August survey. At the moment, more Democrats (64%) than Republicans (58%) or

independents (49%) say they are “very interested,” although interest is higher among all three

groups than it was in August.

Voters’ evaluations of how well key political figures are doing their jobs have remained

remarkably stable compared to prior surveys. About one in two (50%) registered voters in

Pennsylvania believes Governor Wolf is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as governor. Two in

five (42%) registered voters believe Senator Casey is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as the

state’s US Senator. About one in three (37%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believes President

Trump is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as president.

President Trump continues to be an essential motivating force in the upcoming mid-term

elections. More registered voters prefer the Democratic candidate for U.S. House (51%) than the

Republican candidate for U.S. House (36%); three in four (74%) of those who plan to vote for a

Democratic candidate are casting their ballot mainly as a vote against President Trump and

Republicans in Congress, while four in five (80%) of those who plan to vote for a Republican

candidate are casting their ballot mainly as a vote to support President Trump and the Republicans

in Congress. The link between congressional choice as support or opposition to the President has

intensified since August. Moreover, one of the most common reasons voters provide for supporting

their U.S. Senate choice relates to the President.

3
Voter Interest and Turnout

About three in five (60%) of the state’s registered voters say they are “very interested” in the

2018 elections. Voter interest is related to both political party and political ideology. At the

moment, more Democrats (64%) than Republicans (58%) or independents (49%) say they are “very

interested,” although interest is higher among all three groups than it was in August. More self-

described liberals (74%) than conservatives (61%) or moderates (49%) say they are “very

interested.”

The outcomes of the 2018 mid-terms will be driven by differences in voter turnout among

partisans, but likely voter models based on administrative data and self-described interest produce

different results. For example, two in five (37%) voters in the sample have voted in the past three

general elections; this would produce an electorate with similar proportions of Republicans (45%)

and Democrats (43%). But the electorate would have more Democrats (49%) than Republicans

(39%) if self-described interest and intention to vote is used to measure turnout.

President Trump: Job Performance

About two in five (37%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believes President Trump is

doing an “excellent” or “good” job as president, which is similar to his ratings in recent surveys.

Figure 1 compares President Trump’s job ratings to President Obama’s job ratings; President

Trump’s current rating is about the same as President Obama’s rating in Pennsylvania at a similar

point in his Presidency. A majority of Republicans (76%) rate the President’s performance

positively, while fewer Democrats (7%) or independents (27%) do so. Conservatives (81%) are

more likely than moderates (24%) or liberals (4%) to give the President positive job approval

ratings.

4
Figure 1:

5
 About one in three (30%) voters say they have had an increase in their income because of

the tax cut passed in December, although most (58%) of these respondents report seeing only a

small increase. Most respondents do not believe (45%) or do not know (18%) that the Trump

Administration has made significant changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Half (53%) of

those who believe administrative changes to the ACA have been made say those changes will make

the healthcare system worse for them. Voters’ judgments about tax cuts and administrative changes

to the Affordable Care Act relate to voters’ ratings of the President and have not changed since prior

surveys.

President Trump is perceived as doing best at creating new jobs and dealing with terrorism.

He receives his lowest ratings for improving the healthcare system, deal with climate change, and

improving public education (Figure 2). These specific ratings have remained remarkably stable, as

is true of his overall approval ratings.

President Trump continues to be an essential motivating force in the upcoming mid-term

elections. More registered voters prefer the Democratic candidate for U.S. House (51%) than the

Republican candidate for U.S. House (36%); three in four (74%) of those who plan to vote for a

Democratic candidate are casting their ballot mainly as a vote against President Trump and

Republicans in Congress, while four in five (80%) of those who plan to vote for a Republican

candidate are casting their ballot mainly as a vote to support President Trump and the Republicans

in Congress. The link between congressional choice as support or opposition to the President has

intensified since August. Moreover, one of the most common reasons voters provide for supporting

their U.S. Senate choice relates to the President.

6
Figure 2:

7
Senator Casey: Job Performance and Re-Election

Two in five (42%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believe Senator Casey is doing an

“excellent” or “good” job as the state’s U.S. Senator, which is similar to his ratings in recent

surveys. Two-thirds (66%) of registered Democrats, one in three (32%) independents, and one in

five (17%) Republicans provide positive ratings of the Senator’s job performance. Senator Casey

(50%) currently holds a lead over his Republican challenger, Representative Lou Barletta (33%),

among likely voters, although nearly one in six (15%) voters remains undecided. The dynamics of

the race have changed little since our prior surveys and reflect the fact that one in two (51%) voters

don’t know enough about Mr. Barletta to have an opinion.

Governor Wolf: Job Performance and Re-Election

About one in two (50%) registered voters in Pennsylvania believes Governor Wolf is doing

an “excellent” or “good” job as governor, which is similar to his ratings in prior surveys. Three in

four (74%) Democrats, one in two (51%) independents, and one in five (19%) Republicans provide

positive ratings of the Governor’s job performance. Figure 3 compares Governor Wolf’s job

performance ratings to his recent predecessors. Wolf’s job performance rating is similar to

Governor Rendell’s and better than Governor Corbett’s at similar points during their terms in office.

8
Figure 3:

Governor Wolf (52%) currently holds a comfortable lead over his Republican challenger,

former State Senator Scott Wagner (30%), among likely voters, although nearly one in six (17%)

voters remains undecided. The dynamics of the race have changed little since prior surveys and

reflect the fact that two in five (40%) of the state’s voters don’t know enough about Senator Wagner

to have an opinion.

9
The Electoral Context in Pennsylvania
Comparing 2018 electoral indicators to indicators from the prior three gubernatorial

elections in Pennsylvania provides some context about what might be expected this year. In the

2006 election, Democrats retained the governor’s office, defeated an incumbent Republican U.S.

senator, and picked up four U.S. house seats held by Republicans in a year that showed many

favorable indicators for them. Conversely, in 2010 these electoral indicators showed Republicans

had a real advantage and Republicans won the governor’s office, a U.S. Senate seat, and 12 of 19

U.S. House seats. In 2014, the electoral indicators gave no clear advantage to either party and this

was reflected in the final vote: Democrats managed to recapture the governor’s office while

Republicans captured 13 of the state’s 18 U.S. House seats.

Currently, optimism about the direction of the state is similar to 2006, and much better than

in 2010 or 2014. The job performance rating for the incumbent governor is also similar to 2006,

when the relatively popular incumbent Ed Rendell won re-election, and is much better than

Governor Corbett’s job performance ratings were in 2014. The incumbent president’s popularity is

similar for all these elections, which was an advantage for Democrats in 2006, a disadvantage in

2010 and 2014, and is again an advantage for Democrats in this cycle. President Trump’s relatively

low approval ratings could hurt Republican candidates this year. At the moment, Democrats appear

to have an advantage in voter interest and turnout (see Table 1).

10
Table 1:
Methodology

The survey findings presented in this release are based on the results of interviews

conducted September 17 - 23, 2018. The interviews were conducted at the Center for Opinion

Research at Franklin & Marshall College on behalf of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs.

The poll was designed and administered by the staff of the Center for Opinion Research. The data

included in this release represent the responses of 545 Pennsylvania registered voters, including 256

Democrats, 213 Republicans, and 76 independents. The sample of registered voters was obtained

from L2, formerly Labels & Lists. All sampled respondents were notified by letter about the survey.

Interviews were completed over the phone and online depending on each respondent’s preference.

Survey results were weighted (age, gender, education, and party registration) using an iterative

weighting algorithm to reflect the known distribution of those characteristics as reported by the

Pennsylvania Department of State and Pennsylvania exit polls.

The sample error for this survey is +/- 6.1 percentage points when the design effects from

weighting are considered. In addition to sampling error, this poll is also subject to other sources of

non-sampling error. Generally speaking, two sources of error concern researchers most. Non-

response bias is created when selected participants either choose not to participate in the survey or

are unavailable for interviewing. Response errors are the product of the question and answer

process. Surveys that rely on self-reported behaviors and attitudes are susceptible to biases related

to the way respondents process and respond to survey questions.

12
Methodological Notes

There are notable differences in the characteristics of respondents depending on how they

completed the survey (see Figure 4). The web respondents are more educated, are more liberal, and

appear to be more likely to vote than telephone respondents. These demographic differences result

in both Democratic candidates performing better among web-respondents than among telephone

respondents.

Figure 4:

13
Attachment A-1

14
Attachment A-2

15
Marginal Frequency Report
Responses may not total 100% due to rounding.

REG. Some people are registered to vote, and many others are not. Are you currently registered to
vote at your present address?
Yes 100%
No 0%

RegPARTY. Are you currently registered as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or as

something else?
Republican 39%
Democrat 47%
Independent 13%
Something else 1%

Vote_Nov. Many people will vote in the election for governor and congress in November, however,
many other people will not. What would you say are the chances you will vote in the November
election? Are you certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances fifty-fifty you will vote, or
don’t you think that you will vote in the November election?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

Certain to vote 83% 79% 76%
Will probably vote 10% 14% 12%
Chances are fifty-fifty 4% 4% 8%
Don’t think will vote 4% 2% 4%
Do not know 0% 1% 0%

Pol_Int. Some people don't pay much attention to political campaigns. How about you? Would you
say that you are…very much interested, somewhat interested or not very interested in the 2018
elections?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018 Mar 2018

Very much interested 60% 54% 55% 48%
Somewhat interested 32% 37% 40% 43%
Not very interested 9% 8% 6% 8%
Do not know 0% 1% 0% 0%

16
 Please let me know your opinion of some people involved in politics today. Is your opinion of
[FILL name] favorable, unfavorable, undecided, or haven’t you heard enough about [FILL name] to
have an opinion? (rotated)

Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Don’t

Undecided
favorable favorable unfavorable unfavorable know
TOM WOLF
Sep 2018 27% 27% 14% 19% 4% 9%
Aug 2018 20% 28% 15% 21% 3% 13%
Jun 2018 19% 30% 14% 19% 5% 13%
Mar 2018 19% 31% 16% 16% 6% 12%
Sep 2017 16% 20% 8% 34% 12% 10%
Feb 2017 12% 29% 15% 19% 13% 11%
Feb 2016 14% 25% 16% 27% 9% 9%
Oct 2015 15% 23% 13% 20% 16% 13%
Aug 2015 22% 21% 9% 17% 18% 13%
Jun 2015 21% 23% 10% 17% 19% 11%
Mar 2015 22% 18% 11% 16% 22% 11%
Oct 2014 20% 20% 7% 18% 18% 16%
Sep 2014 19% 21% 9% 13% 18% 21%
Aug 2014 18% 19% 7% 10% 22% 24%
Jun 2014 15% 20% 5% 7% 20% 32%
SCOTT WAGNER
Sep 2018 7% 15% 11% 20% 6% 40%
Aug 2018 10% 11% 9% 21% 7% 42%
Jun 2018 4% 13% 11% 19% 6% 47%
LOU BARLETTA
Sep 2018 12% 8% 7% 17% 6% 51%
Aug 2018 11% 9% 7% 15% 5% 53%
Jun 2018 8% 6% 6% 11% 3% 66%
Mar 2018 7% 7% 4% 9% 4% 69%
Sep 2017 6% 9% 3% 6% 8% 68%

17
 Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Don’t
Undecided
favorable favorable unfavorable unfavorable know
BOB CASEY, JR.
Sep 2018 19% 21% 11% 17% 6% 26%
Aug 2018 15% 27% 12% 17% 4% 25%
Jun 2018 18% 26% 10% 13% 5% 29%
Mar 2018 17% 26% 13% 12% 8% 25%
Sep 2017 17% 28% 10% 14% 11% 20%
Feb 2017 16% 25% 13% 12% 14% 21%
Oct 2013 12% 23% 10% 13% 16% 27%
Aug 2013 12% 22% 11% 13% 17% 26%
May 2013 17% 26% 9% 13% 17% 18%
Feb 2013 13% 27% 11% 13% 16% 21%
Oct 2012 16% 20% 12% 19% 14% 19%
Sep 2012 14% 23% 13% 16% 13% 22%
Aug 2012 11% 25% 12% 10% 16% 27%
Jun 2012 14% 24% 10% 8% 14% 29%
Jan 2012 9% 20% 9% 8% 18% 35%
Mar 2011 6% 19% 11% 8% 19% 37%
May 2010 10% 23% 9% 11% 16% 31%
Mar 2010 9% 24% 10% 11% 17% 29%
Feb 2010 13% 20% 9% 9% 15% 34%
Jan 2010 9% 23% 11% 9% 17% 31%
Oct 2009 11% 21% 9% 12% 15% 32%
Aug 2009 17% 24% 10% 8% 17% 24%
Jun 2009 11% 21% 12% 5% 17% 34%
Feb 2009 11% 19% 9% 8% 21% 32%
DONALD TRUMP
Sep 2018 26% 14% 4% 55% 0% 1%
Aug 2018 26% 13% 5% 52% 3% 1%
Jun 2018 26% 14% 7% 51% 3% 0%
Mar 2018 21% 15% 11% 49% 2% 2%
Sep 2017 21% 22% 9% 36% 6% 6%
Feb 2017 23% 14% 6% 51% 6% 1%
Oct 2016 23% 12% 6% 56% 3% 1%
Sep 2016 20% 12% 6% 54% 6% 1%
Aug 2016 23% 14% 7% 51% 5% 1%
Jul 2016 20% 13% 5% 57% 5% 0%
Mar 2016 13% 14% 9% 56% 7% 1%
Feb 2016 12% 15% 11% 51% 10% 1%

18
Vote_Gov. If the 2018 election for governor were being held today and the candidates included
(rotated) [Scott Wagner, the Republican, Tom Wolf, the Democrat, Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian,
and Paul Glover, the Green Party], would you vote for [Scott Wagner, Tom Wolf, Ken Krawchuk,
Paul Glover], some other candidate, or aren't you sure how you would vote?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

Tom Wolf, the Democrat 52% 51% 48%
Scott Wagner, the Republican 28% 32% 29%
Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian 1% 2% --
Paul Glover, the Green Party 0% 2% --
Some other candidate 1% 1% 1%
Do not know 18% 14% 23%

Cert. Are you absolutely certain you will vote for [fill Vote_Gov] in the election, or are you still
making up your mind?

Wolf Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Respondents with vote choice (n=282) (n=256)
Certain to vote for named candidate 75% 72%
Still making up mind 24% 29%
Do not now 1% 0%

Wagner Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Respondents with vote choice (n=153) (n=161)
Certain to vote for named candidate 77% 70%
Still making up mind 21% 27%
Do not know 2% 3%

Lean_Gov. As of today, do you lean more to: (rotated) [Scott Wagner, the Republican, Tom Wolf,
the Democrat, Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian, and Paul Glover, the Green Party], or some other
candidate?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Respondents without vote choice (n=104) (n=77)
Tom Wolf, the Democrat 26% 18%
Scott Wagner, the Republican 13% 16%
Paul Glover, the Green Party 1% 0%
Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian 0% 0%
Some other candidate 5% 8%
Do not know 55% 58%

19
ISSU_GOV. What issue will be most important to you when considering which candidate for
governor you support?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Taxes 12% 13%
Education, schools 10% 14%
Align with political views/platforms 8% 6%
Economy 7% 5%
Healthcare, insurance 6% 6%
Government, politicians 5% 6%
Immigration, illegal immigrants, refugees 4% 4%
Personal characteristic of candidate 4% 3%
Crime, drugs, violence, guns 4% 2%
Civil liberties 3% 3%
Elder issues, social security 3% 2%
Environment 2% 3%
Unemployment, personal finances 2% 3%
Values and morality 2% 3%
Donald Trump 2% 3%
Gasoline, utility prices 1% 1%
Justice system, lawyers 1% 1%
Social issues 1% 1%
Candidate who will put the state on right track 1% 1%
Welfare 1% 0%
Racism 1% 0%
Terrorism, war, foreign policy 1% 0%
Bipartisanship 1% 0%
Most qualified, most experienced 1% 0%
Retaining, attracting businesses 1% 0%
Transportation, infrastructure 0% 1%
Other 4% 3%
Do not know 14% 17%

20
Sen2018 If the November 2018 general election for U.S. Senator was being held today and the
candidates were (rotated) [Lou Barletta, the Republican and Bob Casey Jr., the Democrat, Dale
Kerns, the Libertarian candidate, and Neal Gale, the Green Candidate], would you vote for: [Lou
Barletta, Bob Casey, Jr., Dale Kerns, Neal Gale], some other candidate, or aren't you sure how you
would vote?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

Bob Casey, Jr., the Democrat 48% 48% 44%
Lou Barletta, the Republican 30% 29% 27%
Dale Kerns, the Libertarian 2% 1% --
Neal Gale, the Green Party 1% 1% --
Some other candidate 1% 1% 1%
Do not know 20% 20% 28%

Cert. Are you absolutely certain you will vote for [fill Sen2018] in the election, or are you still
making up your mind?

Casey Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Respondents with vote choice (n=258) (n=244)
Certain to vote for named candidate 77% 76%
Still making up mind 23% 24%
Do not know 1% 0%

Barletta Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Respondents with vote choice (n=162) (n=150)
Certain to vote for named candidate 77% 74%
Still making up mind 21% 25%
Do not know 2% 1%

Lean_Gov. As of today, do you lean more to: (rotated) [Lou Barletta, the Republican and Bob
Casey Jr., the Democrat, Dale Kerns, the Libertarian candidate, and Neal Gale, the Green
Candidate], or some other candidate?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Respondents without vote choice (n=112) (n=108)
Bob Casey, Jr., the Democrat 28% 23%
Lou Barletta, the Republican 9% 20%
Dale Kerns, the Libertarian 0% 3%
Neal Gale, the Green Party 0% 0%
Some other candidate 2% 4%
Do not know 60% 50%

21
ISSU_SEN. What issue will be most important to you when considering which candidate for Senate
you support?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Align with political views/platforms 11% 9%
Donald Trump 10% 11%
Personal characteristic of candidate 8% 6%
Immigration, illegal immigrants, refugees 6% 6%
Healthcare, insurance 5% 6%
Taxes 4% 6%
Values and morality 4% 4%
Crime, drugs, violence, guns 4% 2%
Civil liberties 4% 1%
Government, politicians 3% 5%
Education, schools 3% 4%
Economy 3% 3%
Elder issues, social security 3% 2%
Justice system, lawyers 3% 1%
Unemployment, personal finances 2% 0%
Environment 1% 4%
Best option/dislike other candidate more 1% 2%
Candidate who will put country back on right track 1% 2%
Most qualified, most experienced 1% 0%
Bipartisanship 1% 1%
Terrorism, war, foreign policy 1% 1%
Social issues 1% 0%
Other 3% 3%
Do not know 20% 21%

GenBalH If the 2018 elections for the United States House of Representatives were being held
today, would you vote for (rotated) [the Republican Party’s candidate or the Democratic Party’s]
for the House in your district?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

Democratic Party’s candidate 51% 48% 50%
Republican Party’s candidate 36% 39% 36%
Do not know 13% 13% 15%

22
AGSTTRUMP. Would you say your choice for the Democratic Party’s candidate is mainly a vote
against President Trump and the Republicans in Congress, or not?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Democratic Party voters (n=279) (n=245)
Yes (vote against President Trump and the Republicans in
74% 67%
Congress)
No 25% 31%
Do not know 1% 1%

FORTRUMP. Would you say your choice for the Republican Party’s candidate is mainly a vote to
support President Trump and the Republicans in Congress, or not?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018

Republican Party voters (n=194) (n=197)
Yes (vote to support President Trump and the Republicans in
80% 74%
Congress)
No 17% 26%
Do not know 2% 0%

Rate_Gov. How would you rate the way that Tom Wolf is handling his job as Governor? Would
you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as Governor?
Excellent job Good job Only a fair job Poor job Don’t know
Sep 2018 12% 38% 27% 18% 6%
Aug 2018 8% 38% 28% 20% 6%
Jun 2018 9% 36% 33% 16% 6%
Mar 2018 6% 37% 33% 16% 8%
Sep 2017 4% 34% 36% 19% 7%
May 2017 5% 36% 35% 17% 8%
Feb 2017 4% 34% 35% 19% 8%
Feb 2016 4% 27% 32% 29% 7%
Jan 2016 5% 28% 36% 26% 6%
Oct 2015 6% 30% 37% 21% 6%
Aug 2015 7% 32% 34% 17% 10%
Jun 2015 8% 31% 34% 16% 13%
Mar 2015 7% 31% 29% 14% 19%

23
RateSenC. How would you rate the way that Bob Casey is handling his job as US Senator? Would
you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as US Senator?
Only a Fair Don’t
Excellent Job Good Job Poor Job
Job Know
Sep 2018 13% 29% 25% 20% 14%
Aug 2018 9% 32% 27% 19% 13%
Jun 2018 10% 32% 29% 14% 15%
Mar 2018 7% 30% 32% 11% 20%
Sep 2017 8% 29% 27% 15% 22%
May 2017 10% 28% 33% 17% 13%
Feb 2017 10% 27% 31% 14% 18%
Oct 2013 5% 25% 34% 17% 20%
Aug 2013 5% 23% 39% 15% 19%
Oct 2012 6% 31% 33% 18% 12%
Sep 2012 7% 31% 32% 15% 16%
Aug 2012 4% 32% 37% 11% 16%
Jun 2012 5% 33% 32% 8% 21%
Feb 2012 4% 26% 43% 12% 15%
Jan 2012 4% 31% 36% 11% 19%
Oct 2011 5% 33% 38% 9% 16%
Aug 2011 5% 27% 43% 9% 16%
Mar 2011 3% 26% 39% 9% 23%
Feb 2009 7% 31% 32% 10% 20%
Aug 2007 5% 37% 36% 7% 15%

24
RightDir All in all, do you think things in Pennsylvania are generally headed in the right direction,
or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track?
Headed in Right Direction Off on the Wrong Track Don’t know
Sep 2018 51% 36% 14%
Aug 2018 46% 36% 18%
Jun 2018 45% 39% 16%
Mar 2018 46% 40% 15%
Sep 2017 37% 48% 16%
May 2017 31% 50% 19%
Feb 2017 35% 52% 13%
Mar 2016 24% 66% 10%
Feb 2016 21% 67% 12%
Jan 2016 21% 67% 12%
Oct 2015 26% 62% 12%
Aug 2015 32% 54% 13%
Jun 2015 36% 47% 17%
Mar 2015 39% 47% 15%
Oct 2014 28% 61% 11%
Sep 2014 29% 60% 11%
Aug 2014 27% 61% 13%
Jun 2014 30% 59% 11%
Jan 2014 25% 62% 13%
Oct 2013 25% 61% 13%
Aug 2013 26% 62% 12%
May 2013 28% 58% 13%
Aug 2012 31% 56% 13%
Jun 2012 30% 57% 13%
Feb 2012 31% 56% 13%
Jan 2012 38% 47% 15%
Oct 2011 38% 49% 13%
Aug 2011 34% 53% 13%
Mar 2011 37% 53% 10%
Oct 2010 27% 64% 9%
Sep 2010 31% 59% 10%
Aug 2010 30% 58% 12%
May 2010 35% 55% 10%
Mar 2010 32% 58% 10%

25
 MIP_PA. What do you think is the most important problem facing Pennsylvania today?
Sep Aug Jun Mar Sep May Feb Mar Feb Jan Oct Aug Jun
2018 2018 2018 2018 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015
Government, politicians 14% 16% 13% 16% 30% 22% 24% 45% 47% 38% 39% 22% 17%
Taxes 12% 10% 12% 15% 11% 12% 11% 7% 10% 9% 9% 12% 12%
Education, school 11% 13% 7% 9% 11% 17% 16% 13% 12% 18% 16% 21% 18%
Unemployment, personal
9% 14% 5% 12% 9% 8% 12% 13% 9% 8% 12% 15% 18%
finances
Crime, drugs, violence, guns 6% 6% 8% 10% 6% 5% 5% 1% 2% 3% 2% 3% 2%
Economy, finances 6% 3% 9% 5% 7% 3% 3% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 7%
Roads, infrastructure,
4% 5% 7% 3% 2% 4% 4% 2% 1% 2% 2% 3% 5%
transportation
Healthcare, insurance 4% 3% 5% 2% 4% 8% 4% 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1%
Environment 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Energy issues, gas prices 3% 2% 3% 0% 3% 1% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 5% 6%
Immigration 2% 2% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1%
Retaining, attracting businesses 2% 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 2% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1%
Bipartisanship 2% 0% 2% 1% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Align with political 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
2%
views/platforms
Senior issues, social security 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 6%
Welfare 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0%
Housing and real estate 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Transportation, availability 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Racism 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Justice system, Lawyers 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Values, morals 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 2% 1%
Daycare 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Population loss, movement out
0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
of state
Civil liberties 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Population, urban sprawl 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Social issues 0% 2% 1% 6% 1% 2% 2% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Other 4% 7% 3% 5% 2% 5% 4% 3% 4% 4% 3% 2% 3%
Don't know 14% 12% 14% 13% 5% 7% 6% 3% 5% 8% 6% 6% 0%

26
RatePres. How would you rate the way that Donald Trump is handling his job as president? Would
you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as President?
Excellent Job Good Job Only a Fair Job Poor Job Don’t Know
Sep 2018 18% 19% 8% 55% 0%
Aug 2018 18% 20% 10% 52% 1%
Jun 2018 17% 18% 13% 52% 0%
Mar 2018 13% 17% 16% 54% 1%
Sep 2017 13% 16% 18% 53% 1%
May 2017 13% 24% 14% 49% 2%
Feb 2017 13% 19% 13% 54% 1%

RightDirUS. All in all, do you think things in the United States are generally headed in the right
direction, or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track?

Sep 2018 Feb 2017 Oct 2016 Sep 2016 Aug 2016 Jul 2016
Right direction 36% 29% 35% 36% 32% 38%
Wrong track 60% 66% 58% 57% 61% 57%
Don’t know 4% 6% 7% 7% 7% 5%

MIP_US. What do you think is the most important problem facing the United States today?

Sep 2018 Feb 2017

Donald Trump 16% 0%
Immigration 15% 10%
Government, politicians 14% 41%
Global events 8% 4%
Bipartisanship 7% 0%
Social issues 5% 1%
Foreign policy, terrorism, war 4% 7%
Crime, drugs, violence, guns 4% 1%
Economy, finances 3% 5%
Racism 3% 3%
Healthcare, insurance 2% 4%
Environment 2% 2%
Values and morality 2% 0%
Unemployment, personal finances 1% 6%
Education, school 1% 2%
Civil liberties 1% 2%
Lack of pride in U.S. 1% 0%
Welfare 1% 1%
Align with political views/platforms 1% 0%
Candidate who will put country back on right track 1% 0%
Taxes 0% 1%
Other 6% 8%
Don't know 5% 3%

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TAX1. Congress passed the Tax Cut and Job Act in December. Have you seen an increase in your
household income because of this legislation?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

Yes 30% 30% 33%
No 64% 65% 59%
Do not know 7% 6% 8%

TAX2. Would you say it is a small, moderate, or large increase?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

n=159 n=152 n=153
Small increase 58% 55% 63%
Moderate increase 35% 31% 35%
Large increase 6% 13% 2%
Do not know 1% 2% 0%

HC2. As far as you know, has the Trump administration made any significant changes to the
Affordable Care Act?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

Yes 37% 45% 41%
No 45% 35% 37%
Do not know 18% 21% 23%

HC3. Do you think the changes to the regulations for the Affordable Care Act will make the
healthcare system better or worse for your family?

Sep 2018 Aug 2018 Jun 2018

n=199 n=227 n=191
Much better 17% 13% 8%
Somewhat better 17% 17% 18%
Somewhat worse 23% 20% 20%
Much worse 30% 34% 32%
Do not know 14% 16% 22%

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I am going to read a list of problems and issues. For each one, please tell me how well President
Trump’s administration has performed, using an A for excellent, B for very good, C for average, D
for below average or F for failing.

A B C D F
Very Below Don’t
Excellent Good Average Average Failing know
Sep 2018 23% 19% 18% 13% 23% 4%
Dealing with Aug 2018 24% 18% 20% 15% 19% 4%
terrorism Sep 2017 22% 17% 21% 15% 24% 2%
May 2017 26% 21% 13% 14% 24% 3%
Sep 2018 30% 17% 20% 16% 15% 3%
Helping to create Aug 2018 30% 15% 18% 15% 19% 4%
new jobs Sep 2017 17% 21% 17% 17% 25% 4%
May 2017 21% 21% 16% 19% 21% 2%
Sep 2018 18% 17% 7% 7% 49% 1%
Handling Aug 2018 20% 14% 11% 9% 46% 1%
immigration Sep 2017 14% 18% 11% 12% 46% 0%
May 2017 20% 16% 11% 11% 41% 1%
Sep 2018 20% 15% 10% 10% 44% 2%
Handling foreign Aug 2018 22% 13% 10% 11% 44% 0%
policy Sep 2017 12% 17% 14% 18% 38% 1%
May 2017 17% 19% 14% 13% 36% 1%
Sep 2018 11% 19% 15% 12% 40% 4%
Making government
Aug 2018 16% 14% 14% 12% 40% 4%
operate more
Sep 2017 12% 14% 17% 16% 37% 4%
efficiently
May 2017 12% 20% 16% 14% 34% 4%
Sep 2018 5% 13% 22% 14% 42% 4%
Improving the Aug 2018 8% 13% 19% 13% 41% 7%
healthcare system Sep 2017 7% 12% 15% 15% 50% 1%
May 2017 10% 16% 15% 11% 45% 4%
Sep 2018 8% 10% 15% 8% 51% 7%
Dealing with climate Aug 2018 9% 8% 15% 9% 51% 7%
change Sep 2017 9% 11% 13% 13% 47% 6%
May 2017 8% 10% 16% 7% 52% 7%
Sep 2018 5% 17% 24% 13% 27% 14%
Improving the
condition of the Aug 2018 7% 14% 25% 13% 30% 11%
country’s roads,
bridges, and transit Sep 2017 7% 13% 27% 12% 26% 14%
systems
May 2017 7% 14% 22% 14% 27% 16%

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 A B C D F
Very Below Don’t
Excellent Good Average Average Failing know
Sep 2018 4% 15% 21% 13% 39% 9%
Improving public Aug 2018 6% 11% 20% 14% 38% 11%
education Sep 2017 4% 14% 20% 15% 40% 8%
May 2017 6% 13% 20% 11% 41% 9%
Sep 2018 7% 15% 16% 9% 48% 5%
Protecting the Aug 2018 7% 12% 16% 11% 48% 6%
environment Sep 2017 7% 12% 19% 12% 47% 4%
May 2017 6% 12% 17% 9% 51% 5%

PrimNews What is your primary source for news?

Sep Aug May Feb Oct Sep Aug Jul
2018 2018 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016
Cable television, such as Fox, CNN, or MSNBC 30% 28% 28% 31% 29% 30% 28% 27%
Internet (other than social media)* 27% 25% 28% 28% 33% 32% 28% 35%
Network television, such as ABC, CBS, or NBC 20% 20% 15% 18% 19% 20% 21% 20%
Daily newspaper (such as the Inquirer or Post-Gazette ) 8% 7% 12% 8% 7% 8% 11% 10%
Radio 6% 9% 8% 8% 7% 7% 6% 6%
Social media (Twitter, Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram) 5% 5% 4% 3% -- -- -- --
Neighborhood newspaper 1% 2% 3% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2%
Other 4% 9% 2% 3% 4% 2% 3% 1%
Do not know 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0%
*updated to exclude social media in February 2017

CabNet Which cable network do you rely on the most?

Sep 2018 Aug-18 May-17 Feb-17

(cable television respondents) n=159 n=141 n=180 n=252
Fox News Channel 53% 43% 50% 44%
CNN 22% 22% 22% 29%
MSNBC 16% 20% 18% 15%
HLN 2% 0% 1% 0%
NBC 1% 0% 3% --
CBS 1% 0% 0% 0%
PBS 0% 3% 0% 0%
Fox Business Network 0% 0% 0% 1%
One America News Network 0% 0% 1% 0%
None, nothing 0% 1% 0% 1%
Other 5% 7% 5% 10%
Do not know 0% 3% 2% 2%

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FinToday. We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say
that you and your family are better off, worse off, or about the same financially as you were a year
ago?

Sep 2018 Sep 2017 Feb 2017 Oct 2016 Sep 2016 Aug 2016 Jul 2016
Better off 31% 16% 21% 22% 23% 24% 24%
Worse off 13% 13% 19% 24% 21% 24% 22%
About the same 56% 69% 60% 53% 56% 52% 54%
Don’t know 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

FinFut. Now looking ahead, do you think that a year from now, you and your family will be better
off financially than you are now, worse off, or about the same as you are now?

Sep 2018 Feb 2017 Oct 2016 Sep 2016 Aug 2016 Jul 2016
Better off 31% 28% 25% 25% 25% 24%
Worse off 10% 15% 7% 7% 8% 7%
About the same 55% 49% 49% 52% 53% 55%
Don’t know 5% 8% 19% 16% 14% 14%

DEMO I now have a final few questions for statistical purposes only.
CNTY. Region of state (What is the name of the county you live in?)
37% Central
16% Southeast
11% Philadelphia
10% Northeast
9% Allegheny
9% Northwest
7% Southwest
AGE. What was your age on your last birthday?
8% 18-24
18% 25-34
13% 35-44
19% 45-54
15% 55-64
29% 65 and older

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EDUC. What was the highest level of schooling you have completed?

2% Non high school graduate

20% High school graduate or GED
18% Some college
9% Associate’s degree or technical degree
30% Bachelor’s degree
23% Post graduate degree

MAR. What is your CURRENT marital status…are you single, married, separated, divorced, or a
widower?
56% Married
28% Single, Never Married
9% Divorced
7% Widow or widower
1% Separated

IDEO. Politically speaking, do you consider yourself to be a liberal, a moderate, or a conservative?

Liberal Moderate Conservative Don’t know
Sep 2018 28% 36% 31% 5%
Aug 2018 25% 33% 37% 5%
Jun 2018 27% 40% 33% 0%
Mar 2018 27% 40% 33% 0%
May 2017 26% 41% 30% 2%
Feb 2017 27% 42% 31% 0%
Oct 2016 33% 29% 34% 4%
Sep 2016 31% 28% 38% 4%
Aug 2016 31% 32% 33% 4%
Jul 2016 33% 30% 33% 4%
Mar 2016 24% 35% 37% 3%
Feb 2016 27% 33% 37% 3%
Jan 2016 22% 39% 36% 4%
Oct 2015 22% 38% 37% 4%
Aug 2015 21% 36% 40% 3%
Jun 2015 23% 35% 39% 4%
Oct 2014 23% 37% 36% 3%
Sep 2014 22% 36% 38% 5%
Aug 2014 20% 39% 36% 5%
Jun 2014 26% 36% 34% 5%
Jan 2014 24% 43% 28% 5%
Oct 2013 24% 39% 31% 6%
Aug 2013 22% 42% 33% 3%
May 2013 24% 39% 31% 6%
Feb 2013 26% 36% 35% 3%

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 Oct 2012 22% 39% 35% 5%
Sep 2012 26% 34% 35% 5%
Aug 2012 21% 40% 36% 4%
Jun 2012 25% 34% 36% 5%
Feb 2012 17% 39% 40% 4%
Jan 2011 21% 39% 36% 4%
Oct 2011 20% 39% 33% 8%
Aug 2011 24% 32% 37% 7%
Mar 2011 16% 33% 41% 10%
Oct 2010 16% 37% 39% 8%
Sep 2010 15% 34% 40% 10%
Aug 2010 19% 32% 40% 9%
May 2010 19% 32% 40% 9%
Mar 2010 17% 35% 40% 8%
Feb 2010 21% 33% 37% 9%
Jan 2010 19% 30% 42% 9%

PARTY. Regardless of how you are registered… in politics, as of today, do you think of yourself as
a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?
21% Strong Republican
9% Republican
10% Lean Republican
6% Independent
14% Lean Democrat
10% Democrat
28% Strong Democrat
3% Don’t know

GUN. Are you a gun owner?

33% Yes
68% No

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GUN2. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose creating more laws that regulate gun
ownership?
Strongly Somewhat
Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know
favor favor
Sep 2018 45% 20% 8% 23% 3%
Aug 2018 47% 17% 12% 22% 2%
Jun 2018 54% 15% 9% 20% 2%
Mar 2018 52% 20% 7% 19% 3%
Sep 2017 38% 23% 11% 24% 4%
Feb 2017 42% 19% 14% 23% 2%
Oct 2016 38% 27% 12% 21% 4%
Sep 2016 44% 21% 10% 23% 3%
Aug 2016 38% 16% 16% 26% 3%
Jul 2016 43% 18% 10% 25% 4%
Mar 2016 42% 17% 10% 28% 3%
Feb 2016 40% 16% 13% 29% 3%
Jan 2016 40% 15% 13% 29% 3%
Oct 2015 43% 13% 10% 31% 4%
Aug 2015 40% 14% 10% 32% 5%
Jun 2015 38% 13% 12% 33% 5%
Oct 2014 42% 12% 8% 37% 2%
Sep 2014 39% 14% 10% 32% 5%
Aug 2014 39% 14% 10% 31% 6%
Jun 2014 43% 12% 9% 31% 5%
Jan 2014 42% 12% 9% 32% 6%
Oct 2013 46% 16% 9% 24% 5%
Aug 2013 39% 12% 13% 33% 4%
May 2013 43% 14% 11% 30% 3%
Aug 2007 40% 20% 14% 23% 3%
Jun 2007 39% 15% 12% 31% 3%
Feb 2007 39% 17% 15% 26% 3%

LABR. Are you or is any member of your household a member of a LABOR UNION?
17% Yes
82% No
1% Do not know

VET. Are you a military veteran?

11% Yes
89% No

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Hisp. Are you Hispanic or Latino, or not?
5% Yes
95% No

RACE. Which of the following categories best describes your racial background?
90% White
10% Non-white

REL. Do you consider yourself to be Protestant, Catholic, some other religion, or not affiliated with
any religion?

31% Protestant
23% Catholic
13% Some other religion
34% Not affiliated with any religion

BAC. Do you consider yourself to be a born-again Christian or fundamentalist, or not?

23% Yes
75% No
2% Don’t know

ABORT. Do you think that abortion should be legal under any circumstances, legal under certain
circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?

Legal under any Legal under certain Illegal in all Don’t

circumstances circumstances circumstances know
Sep 2018 34% 51% 12% 2%
Aug 2018 30% 54% 15% 1%
Jun 2014 23% 56% 19% 2%
Sep 2010 20% 56% 22% 2%
Aug 2010 18% 61% 19% 3%
May 2010 21% 58% 19% 2%
Mar 2010 19% 56% 23% 2%
Feb 2010 19% 57% 22% 2%
Jan 2010 23% 50% 24% 3%
Oct 2009 20% 54% 23% 3%
Aug 2009 21% 54% 23% 2%
Jun 2009 18% 58% 22% 2%
Aug 2007 22% 56% 21% 1%
Jun 2007 21% 58% 20% 1%
Feb 2007 20% 53% 26% 1%

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NUMC. How many children under 18 years of age currently live in your household?

73% None
13% One
11% 2-3
2% 4-5
1% 6 or more

WORK. Are you currently working fulltime, part-time, going to school, keeping house or
something else?

49% Full-time
27% Retired
13% Part-time
3% Disabled
3% Something else
3% Going to school
2% Unemployed

INCOME. And, just for statistical purposes, we need to know if your total family income is above
or below $50,000 per year?

10% Under $25,000

10% $25-$35,000
10% $35-50,000
19% $50-75,000
17% $75-100,000
31% Over $100,000
5% Don’t know

DONE. Sex of respondent:

48% Male
52% Female

36